In this article, I will show you how to get local channels on FireStick. The instructions in this guide will work on any Amazon Fire TV Stick device, including the FireStick 4K, FireStick Lite, FireStick 4K Max, and Fire TV Cube.
Local Channels, Cable & Cord-Cutting
There has never been a better time to cancel your cable subscription. With the rise of numerous streaming platforms and devices, cable TV users now have a wide range of alternatives that offer more flexibility and affordability than traditional cable services.
However, one common concern is how to continue watching live TV and local news channels. Fortunately, with an Amazon FireStick, it’s no problem at all.
Streaming Local Channels with Amazon FireStick
There are several options for watching local channels on FireStick. Here are some of them:
- Subscribing to a Paid IPTV Service.
- Getting Free Services to Watch Local Channels.
- Utilizing Standalone Network Apps.
- Using the Amazon News App.
- Using Digital Antenna with Fire TV Recast.
How to Get Local Channels on FireStick – 5 Methods
Here are the top methods to get local channels on FireStick.
Method #1: Subscribing to a Paid IPTV Service
In this post, I’ll focus on the top official IPTV services. These include YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV), Fubo TV, and Sling TV. These services have standalone apps you can download from the Amazon App Store.
Here’s a quick look:
1. DIRECTV STREAM (Formerly AT&T TV)
DIRECTV STREAM is a premium streaming service for live TV, including local news, sports, entertainment, music, and reality TV channels. Depending on your package, a subscription lets you stream up to 150 online channels.
The service offers four different packages, ranging from $74.99 to $154.99. Although the price range is higher than its competitors’, DIRECTV Stream provides complete value for money.
All plans include unlimited DVR cloud storage and support for three simultaneous streams.
You can easily watch local channels via DIRECTV STREAM. Some of them include ABC, CBS, NBC, and many more. However, the channel list depends on your market area and billing ZIP code.
You can enter your ZIP code on the DIRECTV STREAM website to view local and regional channels.
How to Install DirecTV Stream on FireStick
2. Sling TV
Sling TV is one of the budget-friendly options for streaming local and international channels on the big screen.
You can watch the news, sports, entertainment content, movies, and more via a Sling TV subscription.
Moreover, you can also catch up on many popular local, national, and global channels like:
- TBS
- ESPN
- TNT, and many more.
The service offers three base subscriptions. Here’s what you get with each plan:
- Sling Orange: The plan costs $40 per month and offers approximately 35 channels. However, this plan does not offer local channels.
- Sling Blue: This plan costs $45 per month for 46 channels. You will get local channels with this plan.
- Sling Orange & Blue: The plan is $60 per month for every channel from Sling Orange to Sling Blue. It also offers local channels.
If you plan to get a Sling TV subscription, please note that it won’t work outside the USA.
How to Install Sling TV on FireStick
3. fuboTV
fubo TV, also known as Fubo, is a leading streaming service based in Manhattan, New York. It was previously known for its sports content but has since tapped into the IPTV sector.
You can now catch up on over 300 live channels on Fubo TV, including top local and national networks like ABC, NBC, and FOX. However, the channel lineup varies depending on your location. Fubo is available in the USA, Canada, and Spain.
The service offers multiple subscription plans for users. The cost ranges from $32.99 to $109.99 per month.
How to Install fuboTV on FireStick
4. Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is undoubtedly the best platform for enjoying a complete entertainment package.
As the name suggests, Hulu + Live TV offers VOD content on Hulu bundled with Live TV options.
The service is often regarded as one of the best in the business, which is why it has over 4 million active subscribers.
To access live content, get a Hulu + Live TV plan for $76.99 monthly. This plan will access multiple local and global networks, including ESPN, ABC, ACC, BET, and more.
You can view local channels by entering your ZIP code on the Hulu + Live TV website. Although it’s one of the best streaming platforms, the service only works in the USA.
How to Install Hulu on FireStick
5. YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a fan-favorite IPTV service with over 8 million subscribers. The Google-operated streaming service lets you watch over 100 cable and satellite channels over the internet. These include local OTA channels, sports, reality TV, lifestyle, and international networks.
Popular local channels on YouTube TV include CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, and TNT. Other notable top networks include ESPN for sports, Food Network, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central.
The best part? It offers wide-area coverage, allowing most US viewers to stream local channels via YouTube TV. Furthermore, its features, such as DVR storage, high streaming quality, and a lag-free viewing experience, make YouTube TV one of the best options.
If you’re interested, YouTube TV’s base plan is $72.99/month. Although the pricing is higher than that of many competitors, YouTube TV remains a top choice for most subscribers.
How to Install YouTube TV on FireStick
Method #2: Getting Free Official Services to Watch Local Channels
Some free IPTV services on the Amazon App Store let you stream local and international channels on FireStick. The list includes the following:
1. Airy TV
Airy TV
is a free streaming service that offers various channels and entertainment content, like movies, sports, news, and TV shows.
The service doesn’t ask for any subscription, fee, or contract.
However, you may encounter a few ads while streaming. Airy TV offers over 100 local channels. Moreover, it provides a wide selection of classic titles and old movies with decent streaming quality.
Airy TV is one of the best apps for watching live TV on FireStick.
How to Install Airy TV on FireStick and iPhone
2. Haystack TV
Haystack News
, formerly known as Haystack TV, is a news hub.
This free, ad-supported service lets you stream many local, national, and international news outlets.
You can stream over 400 channels covering local news, world news, current events, business, entertainment, and more.
The channel list includes popular options like CBS, Al Jazeera, ABC, and more. Moreover, Haystack TV is available on many reputable app stores, such as Amazon and Google Play.
How to Install Haystack News on FireStick for Local & Global News
3. Xumo
Xumo offers an entirely free, ad-supported streaming service called Xumo Play.
It lets you enjoy over 300 channels for live and on-demand content.
The platform offers all-in-one entertainment. The app lets you enjoy sports, news, entertainment, comedy, horror, recipes, and more.
Some popular channels available on Xumo include:
- ABC News Live
- Fox Sports,
- PGA Tour
- TMZ and more.
The best part? The service is available on many devices, including Fire TVs, FireSticks, Androids, Roku, and more.
How to Install and Use XUMO TV for Free Movies & TV
4. VUit
VUit
is another fantastic free streaming service.
It allows you to enjoy a variety of live TV options and on-demand content.
Moreover, you can catch up on various local channels covering news, weather, sports, or some short clips.
Some local channels available on VUit include:
- ABC
- CBS
- FOX
- NBC and more
You can download VUit on FireStick via the Amazon App Store for round-the-clock entertainment.
How to Install & Watch VUit on FireStick
5. Pluto TV
Pluto TV
is an excellent service that lets you stream on-demand content and live TV for free.
It’s an ad-supported platform offering over 250 live channels and thousands of movies and TV shows.
The best part? You don’t need to sign up or subscribe to Pluto TV; the service is free.
Get the app now to enjoy many live TV channels and entertainment options.
How to Install Pluto TV on FireStick & Kodi
Method #3: Utilizing Standalone Network Apps
Local networks have dedicated apps on the Amazon App Store that let you stream their channels. However, each app only provides content from the corresponding network and its affiliates. Therefore, you may need to install multiple apps for broader coverage.
Networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, etc., have apps on the Amazon Store.
For example, you can download the Paramount+ app (previously called CBS All Access) on your FireStick. This app lets you watch your local CBS affiliates, CBS Sports HQ, CBSN, and ET Live.
But there’s something important to note here. Not all network TV apps will grant you free access to your local TV channels. Most will ask you to enter your cable TV provider details for full access.
You may have to test the apps for your favorite networks to see which ones best suit your needs.
Method #4: Using the Amazon News App
Perhaps the most widely consumed live TV content is news. Amazon’s News app offers comprehensive local news coverage on your FireStick.
Local channels on the Amazon News app include ABC News Live, CBS News, Yahoo News, Bloomberg, ET Live, Yahoo Sports, and many others. Many national and global channels, including HuffPost and Reuters, are also available.
Local news was previously only available in 12 cities across the United States. However, Amazon recently expanded its coverage, adding 88 regional markets, including major metropolitan areas such as Detroit, New Orleans, and Phoenix.
The Amazon News app detects the metro region closest to you. Then, it provides you with local news from that area and many national news channels.
Here are some features of the app:
- You can customize news sources to create a playlist based on your selections.
- Playlists receive regular updates.
- No subscription is required to use the news app on your Amazon FireStick.
- It comes pre-installed on your Fire TV device.
Here’s a complete guide to using the Amazon News app on your FireStick.
Method #5: Using a Digital Antenna with Fire TV Recast
This is the most straightforward method for getting local channels on your Amazon Fire Stick. The Amazon Fire TV Recast is a device that allows you to watch and record over-the-air (OTA) broadcast TV.
Fire TV Recast was available in two versions:
- 500-GB version with two tuners
- 1-TB version with four tuners
The Fire TV Recast is not cheap, especially compared to the FireStick. However, it is more cost-effective than a traditional cable TV subscription in the long run.
The Fire TV Recast does not need to be physically connected to your TV. It connects to your digital antenna via an in-built input and router.
You can operate it on your FireStick using the Amazon Fire TV app on your smartphone.
Fire TV Recast pulls live TV OTA channels from a connected antenna. It can also be used as a DVR to record hundreds of hours of content.
Furthermore, Recast lets you watch all your favorite channels, including ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, and many other local TV channels. You can stream local news, sports, documentaries, and more.
Depending on the number of tuners, the Fire TV Recast lets users record two or four programs simultaneously in the background. You can even enjoy two streams concurrently.
You don’t need a FireStick to use Fire TV Recast. You can use it with the Fire TV mobile app. However, this setup has limited features.
Other OTA DVR alternatives, such as Tablo, work with an antenna that costs slightly less than Recast. However, considering its easy integration with your FireStick, you may want to opt for the Amazon Recast device instead.
Here’s a video tutorial on how to use Fire TV Recast with your Fire TV devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can watch normal TV on FireStick in several ways. These methods include using a paid IPTV service, free streaming services, standalone network apps, and more.
No. While using an OTA antenna with a device like the Amazon Recast is one way to stream local TV channels on your FireStick device, it is not the only way. You can also use other services, such as IPTV streaming services like AT&T TV and Hulu + Live TV. Moreover, you can also use free IPTV services.
The major OTA TV networks in the US are ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, and FOX. These networks have affiliates in virtually every major US city, and those affiliates operate the corresponding local channels. The channels' availability depends mainly on your location.
Wrapping Up
This guide explained how to get local channels on FireStick. The methods discussed above will help you access programs from local TV networks, including news, sports, kids’ shows, entertainment, movies, and talk shows. They offer straightforward methods for watching regular TV on FireStick. Which of the methods do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Can I get spectrum app
Hi Lynn,
According to the Spectrum website, the Spectrum TV app isn’t currently available for Amazon Fire TV streaming devices.
Hi Patrick. There is/was a service called BestStreamz.. do you know anything about this service? I’m in White Plains NY and I’m looking for a service that shows the Telemundo ‘novelas’ in Spanish. What service should I look at? Thank.
Hi Hector, BestStreamz is no longer available. A good option for watching Spanish content is Hulu. They offer Telemundo with any Hulu plan starting at $6.99.
We are “older adults” living in a rural area (zip 63456) can we get local channels free? KOMU, WGEM, KRCG, and KMBC???? FireTVStick system advertised as free service?? Very difficult to understand for us.
Hi Bill. Many live TV streaming services are not free and require a monthly subscription to use. On the other hand, some services are completely free, such as the News app from Amazon and the third-party Live Net TV application. These free apps are supported by ads.